Category Archives: QUOTABLE QUOTES

ON ALLEGATIONS THAT BOKO HARAM WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR RECENT ATTACKS ON BANKS IN SOME NORTHERN STATES:

Abu Zaid, Boko Haram spokesman: “Let me confirm to you that our warriors had actually attacked three banks, namely Bank PHB, First Bank of Nigeria and Unity Bank, where they carted away huge sums of money. We took the measure because the mode of operations of the banks was not based on Islamic tenets…If the banks continued to operate contrary to Islamic code, monies snatched from them remain legitimate. We are out to eliminate all aspects of ills in socio-economic affairs of the people which go contrary to the Sharia legal system”.

ON CHARGES THAT BOKO HARAM SENT A THREAT LETTER TO UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI, FORCING CLOSURE OF THE SCHOOL:

Abu Zaid, Boko Haram spokesman: “For someone to accuse us of threatening, attacking a university, is like those behind the claims have underrated our capability; because our determination is to attack the Aso Rock Presidential Villa. Of what benefit will it be when we attack a small institution?”

ON CHARGES THAT SOLDIERS ARE VIOLATING HUMAN RIGHTS IN MAIDUGURI:

Borno Elders Forum, led by Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno: “The soldiers have been burning down cars, killing innocent passers-by, looting private property, harassing innocent passerby and even raping young girls…The presence of thousands of weapons brandishing soldiers on the streets of Maiduguri has turned the situation into a nightmare, the worst Maiduguri has ever seen”.

“Hundreds of youths have been shot and killed by soldiers for no known reason other than they are young people. Many communities have been sacked and people in their thousands are fleeing Maiduguri and the level of human suffering in Maiduguri has reached its peak and Borno is faced with horrific and horrendous humanitarian crisis”.

Major General Jack Nwaogbo, Commander of Joint Task Force in Borno State: “The JTF wishes to draw the attention of the public to some allegations against the personnel of the JTF…One of such allegations was that hundreds of youths have been shot and killed by soldiers for no known reason other than they are young people…No member (of the JTF) is involved in violation… The cordon-and-search carried out is properly supervised by members of all security agencies”.

Gen Andrew Azazi, National Security Adviser: Soldiers deployed in any part of Nigeria must behave responsibly at all times. Unfortunately, when you are the target of a bomb attack, there is the possibility that you react in a manner not approved by the people. There is need for cooperation from all sides: the military, the people and everybody”.

Kashim Shettima, Governor of Borno State: “The most important thing is for us to put in place mechanisms for ensuring that the excesses of the JTF, who are operating under a very tense environment, are curtailed. We are going to provide hotlines and oblige the JTF with a code of conduct – rules of engagement – so that they do not break the rights of the people”.

ON DEMANDS FOR WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS FROM MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE

Borno Elders Forum, led by Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno: “Borno elders have demanded the immediate withdrawal of all soldiers on the streets of Maiduguri because the soldiers have been burning down houses, killing innocent people and looting private property”.

Kashim Shettima, Governor of Borno State: “With no intent to denigrate or question the motives of eminent personalities agitating for withdrawal of the JTF from the state, I regret to note that none has offered a tangible yet sustainable alternative to fill the security vacuum to be created in the event of the withdrawal of the JTF…It’s quite easy to agitate, to call for the removal of the JTF, but what is Plan B?”

ON PROPOSALS TOWARDS RESOLVING THE CRISIS:

Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (retd), new Minister for Police Affairs: “We (the government) will explore dialogue with any aggrieved persons, so that peace will reign in Nigeria. Where that does not work, but I hope that it will work, we will look at what else we can do to guarantee peace, because peace must be guaranteed in Nigeria”.

Federal lawmakers from Borno State: “Dialogue should commence with unconditional amnesty so that when people are coming to the table, they are not coming with swords and guns pointing on their necks and heads. We believe that engaging the elements in an honest process is better than guns, so that peace and unity can return to Maiduguri and, consequently, to the northern Nigeria and Nigeria at large’’.

Kashim Shettima, Governor of Borno State: “Once again, I wish to beseech my brothers in the Jama’atul ahlul sunnah lidda’awati wal jihad (the name preferred by Boko Haram) to lay down their arms and come and dialogue with us, for indeed this is the only way we can move our beleaguered state forward…Our doors are open for constructive dialogue and a speedy resolution to this state of insecurity”.

Abu Zaid, Boko Haram spokesman: “All soldiers deployed to Borno as part of the Joint Task Force must be withdrawn before any dialogue could be opened with government”.

Barrister Sadau Garba, lawyer of late Boko Haram sect leader, Muhammad Yusuf, in letter to President Jonathan, urging dialogue with Boko Haram: “Do not involve the traditional rulers and the major Islamic groups in reaching the group or resolving the problem, because the members of the group do not have any respect for them but rather consider them as part of the problem”.

Dr. Olasupo Ayokunle, Secretary-General,Nigerian Baptist Convention: “They (Boko Haram) don’t deserve any form of dialogue or glove treatment. They have committed crime against humanity. They should be brought to book. Dialogue should be the last resort and it should even come after the group might have served out the punishment for their heinous crimes”.

ON BOMB ATTACKS AGAINST CHURCHES:

Muslim Rights Concern, a Muslim rights organisation based in Lagos: “A bomb exploded at the All Christian Fellowship Church on Church Road, Suleja in Niger State on Sunday, 10th July, 2011…We, of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), totally and unreservedly condemn this and all violent attacks….The Qur’an forbids the use of force except when Muslims are attacked (2:190). There is no evidence that the Christians inside the Suleja church had attacked Muslims.

We charge the security agencies to unveil the identities of these blood-thirsty extremists. Steps must also be taken to secure churches from future attacks…Christians and Muslims are from one Father of Faith (Abraham). Religion is designed to link people in love. There is no religion that teaches violence”.

ON DECISION BY STATE SECURITY SERVICE NOT TO PROSECUTE OVER 100 ARRESTED BOKO HARAM MEMBERS:

Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND): “This is a blatant disregard to all Christians in Nigeria killed with impunity and also an insult to all Niger Deltans as the government is displaying double standards as regards the Niger Delta indigenes falsely and unlawfully arrested over the October 1st bomb blast carried out by our field operatives.

For this attitude…the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) is preparing very hard for the resumption of hostilities with the training of new fighters joining our various camps and promises that the results will be felt both nationally and internationally, very soon”.